A champion of preserving local historic properties will receive recognition from the Gaston Regional Chamber.

Lucy Rawlings Penegar, of Gastonia, is set to be honored with the Athena Award, presented by Park Sterling Bank, on Feb. 20.

She said getting the award feels awkward because she’s had help on each project she’s been involved with.

As a 35-year founding member of the Gaston County Historic Preservation Commission, Penegar has championed saving and repurposing old buildings and sites threatened by demolition.

Three projects of which she’s most proud of are helping preserve the Hoyle Homestead of Dallas, renovation of the Loray Mill and breathing new life into the St. Stephens AME Zion Church building in downtown Gastonia.

Penegar, 73, worked with the late textile executive Dan Stowe as he purchased the 1920s-era church building to save it from demolition a decade ago.

The First Baptist Church congregation wanted to relocate and sold the property to Stowe for around $1 million. St. Stephens AME Zion then bought the building, preserving the interior and exterior architecture. BB&T bought some of the land beside it to build a bank branch, she said.

The Athena Award is presented annually recognizing someone’s professional excellence and community service. Another qualification involves helping women attain professional excellence and leadership skills.

The recipient also devotes time and energy to improving the quality of life for others in the community.

Former Gastonia Mayor Jennie Stultz, also the executive director of the nonprofit Gaston County Education Foundation, said she’s surprised Penegar has not already received the honor.

“Whether it’s history on a community or a family or the textiles or the geography or any other type of historical information, Lucy Penegar is the go-to person,” she said.